Queen Mother Champion Chase Boasts Joint Largest Field Ever

A total of 13 runners have been declared for Wednesday´s showpiece Queen Mother Champion Chase, which is set to feature its joint largest field ever. There were also 13 runners in 1999 when the race was won by Call Equiname.

The 12-year-old Moscow Flyer, successful last year and in 2003, bids to emulate Badsworth Boy (1984-86) and become only the second three-time winner in the race´s history. Skymas in 1977 is the only other 12-year-old to have captured the two-mile contest.

At the other end of the age spectrum, only Inkslinger in 1973 has won as a six-year-old so likely favourite Kauto Star also has history against him.

Paul Nicholls´ charge has not run since winning the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown on December 3. The runner-up that day, Ashley Brook, has not been declared for Wednesday´s race due to a knee injury but third-placed Oneway will reoppose.

Moscow Flyer is one of no less than six Irish-trained runners with others including the Mouse Morris-trained Fota Island, winner of the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase at last year´s Festival and four-length victor of the Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on January 22.

Central House, whose rider Roger Loughran mistook the winning post when third in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown after Christmas, has since made amends with a victory in the Grade 2 Byrne Group plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on February 5.

The novice Accordion Etoile finished third in that contest with Watson Lake in fourth while Newmill comes to Cheltenham on the back of a four-length win in the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles on January 19.

There has never been a French-trained winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase but Kario De Sormain, a first Festival runner for France´s 11-time champion trainer Jean-Paul Gallorini, bids to set that record straight. The mare, who will be ridden by Thierry Majorcryk, scored over hurdles on heavy ground at Fontainebleau on February 22.

Fundamentalist has already tasted success at The Festival, having landed the 2004 Royal & SunAlliance Novices´ Hurdle.

Dempsey, carrying top weight of 11st 12lb, finished two-lengths second to Tysou in the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase at Sandown on February 4, Mister McGoldrick captured the Skybet.com Castleford Chase at Wetherby on December 27 while River City had an unconventional preparation with his latest start coming in an all-weather maiden at Wolverhampton on March 3.